As we enter the holiday season, here are some tips from our Homeowner Care Team to decorate your home safely:
- Do not to hang any decorations on the sprinkler heads as this may trigger a water escape and building alarm.
- Do not hang decorations on the outside balcony railings.
- Make sure your Christmas tree follows the bylaws set out by your strata.
- Do not overload electrical circuits.
As we settle into the winter season, it is time to think about preparing your home for the cold and damper months.
Our Homeowner Care expert, Bill, has prepared a helpful list of items you should attend to before the cold sets in:
- Remove all hoses from the exterior hose bibs and drain them. If the hose bib is not a frost-free type, then you will need to turn it off at its shut off location inside the home and drain completely by opening both the outside hose bib and the inside bleeder valve located at the shut off. When completed be sure to close the bleeder valve to avoid water escape when the hose bib is activated in the springtime.
- Check the smoke/carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are clean and working properly. If your detectors have batteries, change the backup batteries on an annual basis.
- If your home includes a bathroom fan timer, check and reset the timer to ensure it’s running on its programmes. This should be a minimum of two-4-hour time frames every day of the week. This is critical to managing condensation in your home.
- Check all your windows and doors for damaged seals or gaps and have them replaced or repaired if necessary. Any cold air leakage through windows will cause drafting in your home and result in warm air escaping and cold air getting in.
- Check your electric baseboard heaters to ensure the power is turned on and vacuum them to remove dust that will smell when the heat comes on.
- Protect and put away patio furniture and BBQ to ensure they don’t rust and are in tip top condition for the next summer season.
- Report any damaged shingles or gutters to your property manager for repair.
- Ensure dryer ducts have been cleaned and are free of obstructions. Most Strata’s will ensure this has been done on an annual basis.
- Some balconies are equipped with drains. These drains must be kept clear of debris, snow and ice to ensure adequate drainage.
- Last of all make sure you have an emergency kit available during power outages.
Our Homeowner Care Team will spend the holiday season enjoying their favourite traditions. Here are a few traditions our team enjoys:
Emily, one of our Homeowner Care Administrator’s, loves to enjoy the light displays. Brett, our Technical Services Coordinator, loves wrapping Christmas presents with his wife. Our Senior Warranty Supervisor, Bill, enjoys decorating his old trucks with Christmas lights. Teghan, another Homeowner Care Administrator, likes all her family coming over on boxing day to spend the day relaxing in their pajamas and doing absolutely nothing.
Happy Holidays from the Intracorp Homeowner Care Team!